Clothes washing machine



Nov. 1, 1938.

J. B. KIRBY CLOTHES WASHING MACHINE Original Filed March 14, 1932 4Sheets-Sheet 1 .IOIQODOGO T1531 [N VENTOR JA/fEd 5. K/RBY A TTO-RNEYNov. 1, 1938. J. B. KIR'BY CLOTHES WASHING MACHiNE Original Filed. March14, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 IIIIBOOOOB 'GGOOOOOGQOOGQOflBOOIIOO IN V ENTOR 174/155 .8. Hear A TTORNE Y Nov. 1, 1938. Y J, 2,135,084

CLOTHES WASHING MACHINE Original Filed March 14, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 311v VENibR JA /WAS 5. Kmwr A TTOYRNEY Patented Nov. 1, 1938 PATENTOFFICE CLOTHES WASHING MACHINE James B. Kirby, West Richfield, Ohio,assignor, by mesne assignments, to The Apex Electrical ManufacturingCompany, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation. of Ohio, as trustee ApplicationMarch 14, 1932, Serial No. 598,552

Renewed March 12, 1938 52 Claims.

This invention relates to laundry machines and has for its object theprovision of an especially simple, compact, and inexpensive machine forwashing miscellaneous "articles of clothing as encountered in domesticpractice, and for extracting the liquid centrifugally. Subsidiaryfeatures of the invention relate to the provision of a device wherebyrinsing, bluing, etc. of the washed clothing can be effected in theextractor at the same time with the performance of the washing operationand without interfering with that operation, and this without requiringthe employment of a separate compartment as in previous machines; theprovision of new and simplified expedients for connecting the washingand extracting elements to the operating mechanism whereby increasedsimplicity and reliability is secured, combined with freedom from dangerof accidents either to the machine or to the operator; the provision ofimproved means for the selective disposal of the diiferent liquids;while further objects and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent as the description proceeds.

In the accompanying drawings I have showncertain machines illustrativeof the principles of my invention. Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional viewthrough a preferred construction of'a complete machine embodying myimprovements, the parts being shown in washing position; Fig. 1* is anenlarged detail of the safety catch shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 2 is a view ofthe same machine showing the parts in extracting position; Fig. 2 is anenlarged detail of the safety catch shown in Fig. 2; Fig. 3 is asectional view corresponding to the horizontal line 3-3 in Fig. 1 andlooking downwardly; Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail view of the joint inthe casing-bottom shown in Figs. 1 and 2; Fig. 5 is a horizontalsectional view corresponding to the line 55 of Fig. 1; Fig. 6 is avertical sectional view drawn to enlarged scale corresponding to theline 66 of Fig. 5 and showing the parts in neutral position; Fig. 7 is afront plan view of a part of the machine showing the controllingmechanism; Fig. 8 is a sectional view on the broken line 88 of Fig. 1;Fig. 9 is a central vertical section of a modified machine wherein theextractor is removable; Fig.

10 is a horizontal sectional view corresponding to.

the line l0-|0 of Fig. 9 and looking downwardly; Fig. 11 is a centralvertical sectional view of another modification; and Fig. 12 is asectional view corresponding to the line i2i2 of Fig. 11.

For purposes of completeness of disclosure 1 shall explain the entiremachine herein illus- Patent No. 18,280, December 8, 1931.

trated in spite of the fact that some parts of it are already knownthrough disclosure in certain of my prior applications as for example:Serial No. 694,899, filed February 25, 1924, and issued as Patent No.1,969,176, on August7, 1934; Serial No. 191,483, filed May 14, 1927, andissued as Patent No. 1,911,903 on May 30, 1983; Serial No. 469,573,filed July 21, 1930, and issued as Patent No. 1,995,926, on March 26,1935; Serial No. 495,688, filed November 14, 1930, and issued as PatentNo. 2,009,111,- on July 23, 1935; Serial No. 480,424, filed September 8,1930, and issued as Patent No. 2,001,965 on May 21, 1935; Serial No.534,718, filed .May 4, 1931; and in my Reissue My improved machinepreferably comprises a 15 supporting frame including a flat, annular,metal plate having a horizontal supporting portion I and dependingintegral outer and inner flanges 2 and 3 defining therewith an invertedannular channel which affords stifiness with little weight, and isreadily stamped from plate metal. Suitable legs are secured to thischannel member, preferably by being fastened to the outer fiange so asinefiect to make continuation thereof, while also having parts whichtraverse the channel and are secured to the inner flange in bracingrelation. Each leg preferably consists of a channel shaped stampinghaving a web portion 4 which is riveted or welded to the flange 2 andlateral flanges 4 which extend toward and are fastened to the flange 3.In Figs. 1 and 2 I have shown the portions of these flanges 4 which Iare concealed within the annular channel-member as joined by a web 4which affords still greater stiffness without added expense, thoughthese refinements are optional. The inner flange 3 surrounds and definesan aperture 5 and may well terminate in a fiat lip 3 to facilitate theattachment of the legs and gear-box,

Located in this aperture is a gear-box which here comprises a. top part6 which is rigidly secured to the channel member of the frame, and abottom part I suitably secured to the top part. Projecting verticallyupward from the top part 6 of thisgear-box is a hollow sleeve 8. andmounted in this sleeve is the hub 9 'of a vertical bearingsleeve l0.

Seated on the plate I is the liquid-containing casing or tub which hasan upright outer wall ll preferably integral with a flat bottom portionI2 which rests on the supporting frame and is apertured at the centerfor the sleeve l0. Preferably the center of this bottom is elevatedconically as shown at I3 as set forth in my Reissue Patent No. 18,280,and I have shown its center as provided with a threaded spud l4 clampedthereto by means of an external nut and suitable packing washers I6 andhaving a threaded gland nut 11 which clamps a packing ring 18 around theexterior of the sleeve If! so as to prevent leakage without imposing anystrain on the casing-bottom such as would tend to crack enamel therefromin case enameled metal is used. This construction (whether or not theconical elevation is employed) has a further advantage, as set forth inmy application Serial No. 534,718, of enabling the entire working partsto be assembled and tested in advance of the attachment of the casing.Rotatably surrounding the sleeve l0 inside the casing is aclothes-agitating element comprising a hollow shell 20 providedexternally with radial liquid-circulating blades 2! and a downwardlyflaring part 22 overlying the casing bottom, and provided interiorlywith a horizontal web 23 connected to a vertical collar 24 rotatablymounted on the sleeve I0. This shell defines an upwardly flaring surfaceof revolution inside which I locate a centrifugal extractor. Thisextractor comprises a container having an upwardly flaring side-wall 25defining a surface of revolution coaxial with the shell 20 and extendingto a level above the top of the wall H. The bottom of this container isformed by a horizontal Web 26 integral with a vertical hollow sleeve 21which is coaxial with the sleeve l0, and in the form of the inventionshown in Figs. 1 and 2 the webs 23 and 26 are formed with interfittingpins 28 and sockets 28 whereby the container can be secured to theagitator The sleeve 21 is preferably formed exteriorly with radiatingblades 29, and I have also shown the interior of the wall 25 as providedwith other blades 25 for a purpose to be hereafter described.

Carried by the top of the outwardly flaring wall 25 of this container isan inwardly flaring toprim 30, preferably stiffened at its upper edge by,a roll-rim 3|, and the container thus produced is formed at its levelof greatest diameter with liquid-discharge apertures 32, beneath whichthe exterior of the container is preferably formed with a downwardly andoutwardly flaring, annular, liquid-shedding flange 33. The apertures 32and flange 33 are both located above the top of the wall ll, so as bothto necessitate the employment of a cover during extracting in order tocatch the liquid, and hence also to insure safety to the operator, andalso to enable convenient disposition of the extracted liquid. Thiscover comprises a top-portion 35 surrounding the rim 30, and aflange-portion 36 fitting inside the top of the wall ll so as to shedall intercepted liquid inside the same. The top of this cover ispreferably formed with a circular opening 31 registering with thecontainer and enabling access to its contents during the washing opera-1 tion.

Secured inside this cover and surrounding the container is an annulargutter 40, having an inner wall 4| which is located beneath the flange33 and has a diameter slightly greater than said flange so as to enablethe attachment and removal of the cover while the container is in placein the machine. Leading from this gutter and also located above thelevel of the side wall in movement-transmitting relation.-

happens in small apartments, the washing is performed in the kitchen. Inthe present embodi ment I have illustrated a two-way valve positionedbetween this pipe and gutter, said valve having a casing 44 formed withtwo outlet cpenings, one 45 communicating the pipe 42,

and the other 46 discharging inside the casing.=

The valve-member 41 in this valve casing, 011-. erated by a handle 48above the cover, enables these openings to be employed selectively, soas to discharge the extracted liquid either into the hose 43 or backinto the casing. In the absence of such a valve it will be clear thatany. stopvalve, or even the lifting of the hose, willcompel .the gutterto overflow into the casingas soon as it has become filled with theextracted liquid.

Slidably and rotatably journaled inside the sleeve 10 is the verticalshaft 50 which, in the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 and2, has its top operatively secured to the sleeve 21 by means of thescrew 5|. The lower end of the shaft 50 projects into the gear-box whereit is associated with suitable operating mechanism, preferably that nowto be described. Journaled in this gear-box is a horizontal drive shaft52 driven in any suitable manner as by the pulley 53 belted to asuitable electric motor 49. Carried by this drive shaft are two spiralgears 54 and 55 meshing continuously, the one with a companion gear 56rotatably journaled on the shaft 56, andthe other with a companion gear51 journaled on the vertical fixed stud 58. The gear 51 is connected bymeans of a pitman 59 with a toothed segment 60 journaled on a verticalstud 61 also carried by the gear box and swinging at a lower level thanthe gear 56. Rigidly secured to the shaft 50 is a pinion 62 which in itslower position meshes with the segment 6!! and is oscillated thereby, atwhich position of said shaft the pins 28 and sockets 28 are also engagedas shown in Fig. 1 so that this oscillation is communicated through theextractor container to the agitator. Means are also provided wherebyupon the elevation of the pinion 62, and after the consequentdisengagement of its driving connection with the segment 60, it shall bebrought into driven relation with the pinion 56; and while this may beeffected in any one of numerous modes, the simplest arrangement so farconceived, and the one which also affords maximum cheapness combinedwith maximum manufacturing tolerance is that illustrated in detail inFig. 6, namely: the pinion 62 is formed with a frusto-conical projection63 adapted to fit inside the complementarily shaped metal cup 64 whichis loosely carried by the pinion 56. This carrying is here effected bythree headed screws 65 aflixed to the pinion and loosely traversingapertures in the bottom of this cup, and between the screws are springs66 located in socketsin the pinion and normally holding the cup-bottomagainst the heads of the screws. The interior of the cup may be linedwith friction material 61. The pinion 56 is provided with a sleeve 68which rotates loosely on the shaft 50 and also projects freely through acentral aperture in the cup where it rests on a supporting ring 69 whichloosely surrounds the shaft 56 between the pinion 62 and the cup 64.Slidably mounted in vertical apertures in the pinion 62 are some loosepins 10 whose lower ends rest on an annular disk 1| carried by thebottom part 1 of the gear-case. Surrounding the shaft 56 above thepinion 56 is a thrust bearing 12 which takes the thrust of the springs66 when the pinion 62 is elevated. The

pinion 56 accordingly rotates continuously under the influence of thegear 55, being confined between an upper limit fixed by the bearing 12and a lower limit fixed by the pins 10. There is never any substantialload on these pins since the only occasion whereon the pinion 56transmits any power is when it is lifted away from these pins by thepinion 62.

Suitable'rneans are provided for raising and lowering the shaft 59 fromoutside the casing, the means here shown comprising a horizontal rockshaft 15 journaled in a well 16 formed in the bottom part I of the gearcasing beneath the shaft 50 and carrying a crank pin I! connected tosaid shaft by a pitman 18 which extends through the disk II. The upperend of this pitman is provided wtih a spherical (or partly spherical)head 19 connected to this pitman by a reduced neck 89 and located insideanapertured hollow cap 8| carried by the shaft 50. At its highestelevation this pitman supports the thrust of the shaft and weight of theextractor, for which purpose this head is preferably hardened and usedwith a thrust-ball. When depressed it 1 has no strain though I haveshown a positive down-drawing connection since the presence ofwash-water in the shelllll, (which sometimes occurs) produces a dash-poteffect.

The opposite end of the shaft 15 projects beyond the supporting frameand is there provided with a suitable handle 82 by which it may beturned. I have found it desirable to combine this handle with ashield-plate 83 adapted to prevent access to the operating member 84 ofthe electric switch which controls the operation of the machine exceptunder proper circumstances and to which is attached the electric cord84'. It is specially'desirable to prevent the actuation of this switchduring the time that the mechanism is connected to the extractor inhigh-speed rotating relation since the load of starting the extractorfrom stand-still under such conditions is likely to blow out a fuse orinjure the motor. In the present embodiment I have shown a completelycircular plate having therein an aperture 85 permitting access to theswitch when the pinion 62 occupies its intermediate position illustratedin Fig. 6. This circularity also facilitates the employment of thisplate as. an indicator-dial, cooperating with a fixed indicating element86 carried by the supporting frame.

To prevent the premature down-drawing of the shaft 59 one or more ofseveral expedients may be employed, retardation of some kind beingdesirable to prevent engagement between the pinion 62 and segment 60while the extractor, due to inertia, is still rotating at high speed.One mode of effecting this is to provide the sleeve 21 with someequi-distantly-spaced narrow radial recesses 90 (of Figs..l to 3) hereconveniently formed in the thickened inner edges of the blades 29, andto provide in each recess'acentrifugally displaceable catch having atone end an enlargement 9! adapted to fly outwardly above a certain speedand having at its opposite end an inwardly-projecting hook 92 adapted tooverlap a slipring 93 carried by a shoulder 94 with which the sleeve Iis formed. This shoulder and ring are located intermediate theoscillating and rotating positions of the extractor, the portion of thesleeve above this level being reduced to permit the centrifugaidisplacement of these elements to the position shown in Figs. 2 and 2 Incase the operator allows the extractor to come to rest before moving thecontrol-shaft these centrifugal elements do not manifest their presenceat all, but if an attempt be made to depress the extractor prematurelythey catch upon the ring 94 and arrest the movement before the pinion 62can engage the segment 60. A convenient mode of securing these elementsin place is by means of an expansive split ring 95 snapped into an openannular groove 95' formed inside the sleeve.

A second safety expedient which can be employed either separately orcombined with the centrifugal elements just described is to secure thepins 28 to an annular friction-ring 95 rotatably mounted in an annulargroove 91 formed in the web 25. If the pins are made of suflicientheight to prevent the engagement of the pinion 62 with the segment 69'prior to their entrance at least part-way into the sockets 28, theimpossibility of effecting such entrance until the speed of rotation oftheextractor has become very small will constitute a substantialprotection to the gearing, and the friction of the ring in its groovewill effectively brake such revolutions as occur after suchintroduction.

Additional expedients for preventing injury by premature engagement areillustrated in Figs. 9 to 12, these-having the additional advantage ofproviding an extractor which can be removed without impeding the washingoperation of the machine. In both these modifications the dasher oragitator is formed as before and the sleeve 21 of the extractorcontainer, instead of being fastened to the shaft, is loosely sleevedabout a separate sleeve 99 which is fastened to the shaft and terminatesat its lower extremity in a laterally-projecting flange Hill in whichthe sockets 18 are formed and to which the extractor is detachablysecured. In the form of the invcnticn shown in Fig. 9, the periphery ofthis flange is formed with an up-turned lip NH tapered to receivefrictionally and in supporting relation a downwardly-projectingcomplementary flange I02 depending from the bottom of the extractor 25ably terminates in an interiorly cylindrical socket IM which slidablyreceives the cylindrical extremity I05 of the sleeve 99, thereby guidingand fixing the axis of the extractor.

In the modification illustrated in Fig. 11 the sleeve 99 is provided atits lower end with a plain projecting flange IDE having adjacent itsinner margin 9. fixed abutment element 0 which in the present embodimentconsists of a short cylindrical pin driven into a hole formed for thepurpose in flange lull- The bottom of the extractor 25 is formed with anannular depending flange Ill constituting a base by which it can besupported on a table or elsewhere, and to this at one point is affixed aleaf-spring H2 which projects inwardly into a position to engage theabutment I H1 in the manner of a spring pawl. This construction inaddition to being inexpensive has the advantage that when thespring pawlis afiixed at the best angle it not only allows the container to overrunthe shaft when rotating in the direction shown by the arrow in Fig. 12,but it buckles so as to cushion the shock when the shaft is started torotate in such direction in advance of-the container. The flange I00 isprovided with apertures 28 for the reception of the pins 28 carried bythe horizontal web of the agitator when the driving shaft 59 is in itslower or washing position. When the shaft 59 is in its raised positionit is continuously rotated in the manner previously described and Theupper end of sleeve 21 preferthe container ZS is driven by theengagement of the pawl H2 with the pin 0.

I With the construction shown in Figs. 9 and 10 the angle between theflanges Illl and I02 is so chosen as to enable the relative slippagesufficicut to protect the gearing, while constituting a brake to bringthe container to rest. In the form shown in Fig. 12 the container cancontinue to rotate indefinitely after the re-engagement of the gearing,the spring I I2 merely snapping by the pin H. In order to avoid anydanger that the agitator will be removed along with the extractor due tothe seizing of the flanges I0! and I02 shown in Fig. 9, a split-ring His preferably snapped into an annular groove formed in the sleeve I'Dfor that purpose, space for this ring being provided between the top ofthe hub 24 and the lower end of the sleeve 99.

Despite the fact that the interior diameter of the wall 4! of the gutter40 is of sufllcient diameter to enable the removal of the cover past theflange 33, the downwardly-flaring, shape of the flange hereinbeforedescribed causes most of the liquid dripping thereover to fall into thegutter even while the container is at rest, thus preventingcontamination of the washing liquid by blucing or rinsing liquids sinceit is not practical to use the machine even for washing without havingthe cover in place owing to the splashing produced by the agitatorblades. It is obviously infeasible to operate the device as an extractorin the absence of the cover due to the lateral expulsion of the water,wherefore the cover constitutes a very effective safety element.

Many features of the operation of the machine will have become apparentfrom the preceding description, but certain peculiar features ofoperation not heretofore described, and not present in other machinesdeserve special mention. Due to the employment of a single shaft whichcarries the container as well as operating the dasher, the container isoscillated at all times that the dasher or agitator is oscillated, andconsequently itself constitutes a small sized washer. As rapidly asarticles of clothing have become sufiiciently washed they aretransferred to this container, then rinse water is introduced therein(either periodically or continuously as may be desired) and thecontinuation of the oscillating motion to wash the clothing in the outercasing .serves at the same time to thoroughly rinse the clothing in thecontainer. Due to the provision of the annular gutter 4| this rinsewater can be allowed to flow continuously from a hose during the rinsingoperation, without cooling or diluting the washing liquid, and uponelevation of the container by the handle 82 all the extracted liquid isdischarged.

Blueing likewise can be introduced, the clothing mixed thoroughlytherein by the washing motion, and the liquid discharged withoutimpeding the washing operation excepting for the brief periods duringwhich the extracting operation is performed. Ordinary domestic laundryarticles like towels, clothing, etc. are freed from water in less than aminute to such an extent that additional water cannot be withdrawn fromthem either by twisting or by a wringer.

Furthermore this container constitutes a convenient mid-week washer orapparatus for washing small and occasional articles of clothing,requiring only a minimum of liquid, and without even requiring theremoval of the cover of the main machine.

While I have described with thoroughness a preferred practicalembodiment of my invention, it will be understood that a great manychanges in different details can be made and I do not limit myself toany of the details herein shown except as the same arespecificallyrecited in my several claims which I desire may be construed eachaccording to its own limitations and independently of limitationscontained in other claims.

Having thus described my invention what I claim is: i

1. In a combined clothes washing and extracting machine, a casing havingtherein a bladed agitator journaled upon a vertical axis, anextractor-container located above said agitator and having its side walldefining a surface of revolution coaxial with said vertical axis andadapted for the centrifugal discharge of liquid upon rapid rotation, asingle shaft coaxial with said vertical axis and operatively connectedto said container, means for oscillating and rotating said shaft, andmeans for connecting said shaft to said agitator for eflecting itsoscillation.

2. In a combined clothes washing and extracting machine, a casing havingtherein a bladed agitator journaled upon a vertical axis, anextractor-container located above said agitator and having its side walldefining a surface of revolution coaxial with said vertical axis andadapted for the centrifugal discharge of liquid upon rapid rotation, asingle shaft coaxial with said vertical axis, means for oscillating androtating said shaft, and means for connecting said shaft to saidagitator during its oscillation and for connecting said shaft to saidcontainer only during its rotation.

3. In a combined clothes washing and extracting machine, a casing havingtherein a bladed agitator journal'ed upon a vertical axis, anextractor-container located above said agitator and having its side-walldefining a surface of revolution coaxial with said vertical axis andadapted for the centrifugal discharge of liquid upon rapid rotation,driving mechanism beneath said casing comprising a rotating-element andan oscillating-element at different heights, the oscillating-elementbeing the lower, a single vertical shaft coaxial with said agitator andcontainer, means for raising and lowering said shaft, means forconnecting said shaft to said agitator and to said oscillating-elementwhen said shaft is lowered, and means for disconnecting said shaft fromsaid agitator and oscillating-element when it is raised and connectingit to said rotating-element and container.

4. In a combined clothes washingand extracting machine, a casing havingtherein a bladed agitator journaled upon a vertical axis, anextractor-container located above said agitator and having its side-waildefining a surface of revolution coaxial with said vertical axis andadapted for the centrifugal discharge of liquid upon rapid rotation,driving mechanism beneath said casing comprising a rotating-element andan oscillating-element, a single vertical shaft coaxial with saidagitator and container means for connecting said shaft to saidoscillating-element and for communicating the oscillating motionof saidshaft to said agitator, means for connecting said shaft to said rotatingelement and for communicating the rotating motion of said shaft to saidcontainer, and means for preventing the connection of said shaft to saidagitator and to said oscillating element when it is rotating.

5. In a combined clothes washing and extracting machine, in combination,a casing for clothes and detergent liquid, an oscillatable-agitatorlocated therein on a vertical axis and having a hollowed-out centralportion and ra ating blades, an extractor-container having ag'upwardlyand outwardly slanted side-wall fo med as a surface of revolutioncoaxial with said agitator, the lower end of said container beingimperforate and located inside said hollowed-out portion and the upperpart of said container extending above thetop of saidcasing and thereformed with provisions for the centrifugal discharge of liquid,-meansfor oscillating said agitator and for rotating said container, and anannular receiver for extracted liquid carried byh said casing andsurrounding said extractor.

6. In a combined clothes washing and extracting machine, in combination,a casing for clothmg and detergent liquid, a clothes washing element insaid casing, an extractor-container above said element, said extractorhaving an upwardly flaring wall defining a surface of revolution about avertical axis and having liquid discharge provisions in its upper partonly, means comprising a single shaft extending upwardly from the bottomof said casing for rotating said container and oscillating said element,and a removable annular receptor for extracted liquid carried by saidcasing and surrounding said container.

7. In a combined clothes washing and extracting machine, in combination,a casingfor clothes and detergent liquid, an upright hollow sleeveinside said casing, an agitator journaled on the exterior of said sleeveand having radiating blades, an extractor-container located above saidagitator coaxial with said sleeve, 2. single shaft inside said sleeve,means for rotating and oscillating said shaft, means for communicatingthe rotating motion'of said shaft to said container, and means forcommunicating the oscillatory motion of said shaft to said agitator.

8. In a combined clothes washing and extracting machine, in combination,a casing for clothes and detergent liquid, an upright hollow sleeveinside said casing, an agitator journaled on the exterior of said sleeveand having radiating blades, a shaft inside said sleeve having adisconnectible driving connection with said agitator, means foroscillating said shaft, means for raising and lowering said shaft andmeans operative upon such lowering of said shaft for connecting saidshaft to said agitator in operating relation, said means also servingupon the raising of said shaft to interrupt such driving connection.

9. In a combined clothes washing and extracting machine, in combination,a casing for clothes and detergent liquid, an upright hollow sleeveinside said casing, an agitator journaled on the exterior of said sleeveand having radiating blades, a shaft inside said sleeve, means foroscillating and rotating said shaft, an extractor-container carried bysaid shaft above said agitator, means for raising and lowering saidshaft and with it said container, means operative upon lowering saidshaft to connect it to said oscillating means and also to connect it tosaid agitator in operative relation, and means operative upon raisingsaid shaft to disconnect it from said agitator and from said oscillatingmeans and to connect it to said rotating means.

10. In a combined clothes washing and extracting machine, incombination, a casing defining a laundering compartment, an uprightsleeve inside said casing, a single shaft journaled inside said sleeve,means for oscillating and rotating said shaft, means defining a secondcompartment within said casing, and an extractorcontainer detachablysecured to said shaft and located in part at least in said secondcompartment, said container having a hollow axial sleeve which surroundssaid first sleeve and an upwardly flaring outer wall which is coaxialwith said sleeves and is formed with liquid-discharge provisions at itsupper part.

11. In a combined clothes washing and extracting machine, incombination, a cloths washing element, a centrifugal container, anelectric motor, means providing driving connectionsfrom said motor.to-said washing el'ehient and can: tainer, a. control handle,connections from said handle to establish and disestablish said drivingconnections, a switch in circuit with said motor, and means movable withsaid handle for preventing actuation of said switchwhen said motor isconnected by said first named means to said container.

12. In a combined clothes washing and extracting machine, incombination, a clothes washing element, a centrifugal container, anelectric motor, means providing driving connections from said motor tosaid. washing-element and container, a control handle, connections fromsaid handle to establish and disestablish said driving connections, aswitch in circuit with said motor, and means including a shield for theswitch movable with said handle for preventing actuation of said switchexcept when the driving connections provided by said first named meansare disconnected.

13. In a combined clothes-washing and extracting machine, incombination, a clothes washing element, a centrifugal container, anelectric motor, driving connections from said motor to said washingelement and container, a control handle, connection from said handle toestablish and disestablish said driving connections, a switch in circuitwith said motor, and a shield movable with said handle and covering theswitch handle at all times that said driving connections areestablished, said shield having an interruption which uncovers theswitch handle when said driving connections are disestablished.

14. In a laundry machine, an annular frame having depending integralinner and outer flanges defining an inverted annular channel, a casingresting on the portion of said frame between said flanges, and legsfastened to said outer flange, each leg having a part secured to saidinner flange in bracing relation.

15. In a laundry machine, an annular frame having depending integralinner and outer flanges defining an inverted annular channel, a casingresting on the portion of said frame between said flanges, and legsfastened to said outer flange, each leg consisting of a channel-shapedelement having its web fastened to said outer flange and having itsside-flanges projecting across said first channel and rigidly fastenedto a part of said inner flange.

16. In a laundry machine, an annular frame having depending integralinner and outer flanges defining an inverted annular channel, said innerflange surrounding and defining an aperture and terminating in a lip, acasing resting onthe portion of said frame between said flanges andextending over said aperture at a distance above said lip, and a gearbox fastened to said lip and having a part rigid therewith to which said.casing is removably and frictionally attached.

1?. In aclothes washing machine, a casing, a vertical sleeve secured tothe casing bottom in liquid-tight relation, an agitator oscillatablysurrounding said sleeve, 9. single shaft inside said sleeve, anextractor container above said agitator, driving connections fortransmitting movement of rotation from said shaft to said container, anddetachable driving connections from said shaft to said agitator.

18. In a clothes washing and extracting machine. a container mounted ona vertical axis and having a side wall formed as a surface of revolutionabout said axis and having provision for the centrifugal escape of itsliquid contents, shaft-means coaxial with 'said container and havingoperative connection therewith, gearing having oscillating and rotatingelements, means for connecting said shaft-means to said oscillating androtating elements selectively, and means preventing the connection ofsaid shaft-means to said oscillating element while said container isrotating above a determined speed.

19.-In a clothes washing and extracting machine, a container mounted onavertical axis and having a side wall formed as a surfaceof revolutionabout said axis and having provision for the centrifugal escape of itsliquid contents, a shaft operatively connected to said container inrotating and oscillating relation, means for alternatively rotating andoscillating said shaft, and means blocking the attachment of said shaftto said oscillating means during the rotation of said container above adetermined speed.

20. In a combined clothes washing and extracting machine, a centrifugecontainer, an oscillatable agitator, a single shaft for rotating saidcontainer and for oscillating said agitator,

driving mechanism including rotating and oscillating elements, and acentrifugal element rotatable with said shaft and blocking theattachment of said shaft to said oscillating element during any rotationof said container above a determined speed.

21. In a combined washing and extracting machine, in combination, acontainer mounted on a vertical axis and having a side wall defining asurface of revolution about said axis and formed for the centrifugaldischarge of liquid, blades inside said container, a single shaft, meansfor alternatively rotating and oscillating said shaft, and meansoperative upon complete revolution of said shaft relative to saidcontainer in one direction for connecting said container to said shaftin driven relation and upon relative rotation between said shaft andsaid container in the opposite direction to disengage said containertherefrom.

22. In a combined clothes washing and extracting machine, uprightshaft-means, a washing element and an extractor-container operativelyassociated with said shaft-means, a

power-source, a rotating element coaxial with said shaft-means andoperatively connected to saidpower source, an oscillating elementadjacent to said shaft-means and operatively connected to said powersource, a connecting element carried by said shaft-means, means inone-position of said connecting element to engageit with saidoscillating element in power-transmitting relation, said connectingelement having on the side adjacent to said rotating element afrustoconical part, and a frusto-conical part carried by said rotatingelement, one of said parts being yieldingly and flexiblyconnected to theelement to which it is adjacent, such connection including interfitting,rotation-producing means and longitudinally arranged springs. V

23. In a combined clothes-washing and extracting machine, incombination, a casing, an upright shaft traversing the bottom thereof,means for rotating and oscillating said shaft, a coupling-elementoperatively connected to said shaft inside said casing, anextractor-container rotatably carried by said shaft, an oscillatableagitator surrounding said shaft below said container, power-transmittingmeans operatively connecting said element to said container in rotatingrelation, at least in one direction, and means for connecting saidcoupling-element to and disconnecting it from said agitator.

24. In a clothes-washing and extracting machine, a casing, verticalshaft-means traversing the casing bottom, an agitator in the casingcoaxal with said shaft-means, said agitator comprising a hollow centerportion and radiating blades, an extractor-container coaxial with saidshaft-means and having its bottom located in said hollow center portionand having its sidewall flaring upwardly and outwardly to'a level abovethe top of said casing and formed witl liquid discharge provisions, saidagitator and said extractor-container being adapted to be driven by saidshaft means, and means including said shaft-means for imparting rotarymotion to said container and oscillating motion to said agitator.

25. In a combined clothes-washing and extracting machine, incombination, an upright casing, a liquid holding extractor-containerlocated therein on a vertical axis and having an upwardly-flaring sidewall defining a surface of revolution about said axis and projectingabove the top of said casing and formed thereat with provisions for thecentrifugal escape of liquid, an agitator coaxial with said containerand having a recess for receiving the lower part only of said container,means for operating said agitator and rotating said container, a coverfor said casing having an elevated part for receiving the projectingportion of said container, an annular trough carried by said cover andadapted to surround said container beneath said liquid-escapeprovisions, and means for selectively draining liquid from said troughover the top of said casing wall or returning it to said casing.

26. In a laundry machine, a liquid holding casing, launderinginstrumentalities in said casing, a driving shaft for said launderinginstrumentalities extending through an opening in a wall of said casing,and operating means for said shaft comprising a driving clutch memberjoumaled for rotation on said shaft, means engaging the axial centralpart of said clutch member above and below for holding it against axialmovement while at the same time permitting axial movement of said shaft,a driven clutch member fixed on said shaft, and means for axiallyshifting said shaft to effect the engagement and disengagement of saidclutch members for connecting and disconnecting said operating means andsaid shaft.

2'7. In a laundry machine, a liquid holding casing, launderinginstrumentalities in said casing, a driving shaft for said launderinginstru- [mentalities extending through an opening in a wall of saidcasing, and operating means for said shaft comprising a driving clutchmember jourthe axial central part of said clutch member above and belowfor holding it against axial movement while at the same time permittingaxial movement of said shaft, a driven clutch member fixed on said shaftand having an aperture for slidably receiving a part of said clutchholding means, and means for axially shifting said shaft to effect theengagement and disengagement of said clutch members for connecting anddisconnecting said'operating means and said shaft.

28. In a laundry machine, a liquid holding casing, launderinginstrumentalities in said casing, a driving shaft for said launderinginstrumentalities extending through an opening in a wall of said casing,and operating means for said shaft comprising a driving clutch memberjournaled for rotation on said shaft, fixed bearing members looselysurrounding "said shaft for supporting said clutch member, a supportingpin for one of said bearings arranged parallel to said shaft, a drivenclutch member" having a driving connection with said shaft and having anopening for loosely receiving said pin, and means for axially shiftingsaid driven clutch member to effect the engagement and disengagement ofsaid clutch members for connecting and disconnecting said operatingmeans and said shaft.

29. In a laundry machine, a liquid holding casing, launderinginstrumentalities in said casing, a driving shaft for said launderinginstrumentalities extending through an opening in a wall of said casing,and operating means for said shaft comprising a driving clutch memberjournaled for rotation on said shaft, fixed bearing members looselysurrounding said shaft for supporting said clutch member, a supportingmember for one of said bearing members, a driven clutch member having adriving connection with said shaft and having an opening for looselyreceiving said supporting member, and means for axially shifting saiddriven clutch member to effect the engagement and disengagement of saidclutch members for connecting and disconnecting said operating means andsaid shaft,

30. In a laundry machine, a liquid holding casing, launderinginstrumentalities in said casing, a driving shaft for said launderinginstrumentalities extending through an opening in a wall of said casing,and operating means for said shaft comprising a driving clutch memberjournaled for rotation on said shaft, fixed bearing members looselysurrounding said shaft for supporting said clutch member, a supportingmember for one of said bearing members, a driven clutch member having adriving connection with said shaft and having an opening for looselyreceiving said supporting member, driving means for said driven clutchmember spaced from said driving clutch member and means for shiftingsaid driven clutchmember selectively into engagement with said drivingclutch member or said driving means for driving said shaft.

31. In a laundry machine, a liquid holding casing, launderinginstrumentalities in said casing, a driving shaft for said launderinginstrumentalities extending through an opening in a wall of said casing,and operating means for said shaft comprising a rotating driving clutchmember journaled for rotation on said shaft, fixed bearing membersloosely surrounding said shaft for supporting said clutch member, asupporting member for one of said bearing members, a driven clutchmember having a driving connection with said shaft and having an openingfor loosely receiving said supporting member, oscillatingdriving meansfor said driven clutch member spaced from said driving clutch member andmeans for shifting said driven clutch member selectively into engagementwith said driving clutch member or said driving means for rotating oroscillating said shaft.

32. In a laundry machine, a liquid holding casing, launderinginstrumentalities in said casing, a driving shaft for said launderinginstrumentalities extending through an opening in a wall of said casing,and operating means for said shaft comprising a driving clutch memberjournaled for rotation on said shaft, and having a yieldingly supportedfriction face, fixed bearing members loosely surrounding said shaft forsupporting said clutch member, a supporting member for one of saidbearing members, a driven clutch member having a driving connection withsaid shaft and having an opening for loosely receivingv said supportingmember, and means for axially shifting said driven clutch member toeffect the engagement and disengagement of said clutch members forconnecting and disconnecting said operating means and said shaft.

33. In a laundry machine in combination, casing means for holding liquidand articles to be washed, washing means in said casing means, acentrifugal extractor container in said casing means having liquidagitating provisions interiorly thereof, and operating means for bothrotating said container to extract the liquid contents thereof and foroscillating said washing means and said container with its liquidagitating provisions whereby two washers of different capacity areprovided, the smaller of which constitutes an extractor when not used asa washer.

34. In a laundry machine in combination, casing means for holding liquidand articles to be washed, washing means in said casing means, animperforate extractor container in said casing means having upwardlyfiaring'side walls and having liquid agitating provisions interiorlythere{ of, and operating \means for both rotating said container toextract the liquid contents thereof and for oscillating said washingmeans and said container with its liquid agitating provisions wherebytwo washers of different capacity are provided, the smaller of whichconstitutes an extractor-when not used as a washer.

35. In a laundry machine in combination, casing means for holding liquidand articles to be washed, washing means in said casing means, acentrifugal extractor container in said casing means having liquidagitating means secured to the interior thereof, and operating means forboth rotating said container to extract the liquid contents thereof andfor oscillating said washing means and said container whereby twowashers of different capacity are provided.

36. In a combined washing and extracting machine, a tub having acompartment for holding liquid and articles to be washed, washing meansin the compartment of said tub, a centrifugal container in thecompartment of said tub having liquid agitating provisions interiorlythereof, and operating means for both rotating said container to extractthe liquid contents thereof and for oscillating said container with itswashing means and said liquid agitating provisions whereby two washersof different capacity are provided one inside the other, the smallerwasher constituting an extractor when not in use as a washer.

37. In a combined washing and extracting machine, a tub having acompartment for holding liquid and articles to be washed, washing meansin the compartment of said tub, an imperforate extractor container inthe compartment of said tub having upwardly flaring side walls andhaving liquid agitating provisions interiorly thereof, and operatingmeans for rotating said container to extract the liquid contents thereofand to discharge such liquid exteriorly of said tub and also foroscillating said washing means and said container with its liquidagitating provisions whereby two washers oi difierent capacity areprovided one inside the other, the smaller washer constituting anextractor when not in use as a' washer.

38. In a combined washing and extracting machine, a tub having acompartment for holding liquid and articles to be washed, washing meansin the compartment of said tub, a centrifugal container in thecompartment of said tub having partment tub, an extractor and a largeand a small capacity washer.

42. In a combined extractor and two compartment washer for the washingand drying of clothes and other articles, in combination, a tub forholding liquid and articles to be washed. it dasher in the lower portionof said tub having walls defining an open compartment and vanesextending outwardly from said walls for agitating the liquid in saidtub, the volume of the compartment of said dasher being considerablyless than one half the volume of said tub, an extractorjcontainerlocated in part at least in the compartment of said dasher, liquidagitating means inside said extractor-container, and means having areleasable connection with said dasher for oscillating said dasher andsaid extractor-cone tainer with, its liquidagitating'meansand"forro-"liquid agitating means secured to the interig .a tating saidextractor-container independently of thereof, and operating means forboth'rotating said container to extract the liquid contents thereof andfor. oscillating said washing means and said container whereby twowashers of different capacity are provided in one and the same tub.

39. In a combined extractor and two compartment washer, in combination,a tub having a compartment for holding liquid and articles to be washed,a dasher in said tub having blades for agitating the liquid contentsthereof, an extractor-container located in the compartment of said tubwith its bottom adjacent to the tub bottom and below the normaloperating liquid level thereof, said extractor-container occupyingconsiderably less than one-half of the volume of the compartment of saidtub, liquid agitating means inside said extractor-container, and meansfor oscillating said dasher and said extractor-container with its liquidagitating means and for rotating said extractor-container whereby thereis provided in a one-compartment tub, an extractor and a large and asmall capacity washer.

40. In a combined extractor and two compartment washer, in combination,a tub having a compartment for holding liquid and articles to be washed,a dasher in said tub having blades for agitating the liquid contentsthereof, a liquid holding extractor-container located in the compartmentof said tub with its bottom adjacent to the tub bottom and below thenormal operating liquid level thereof, said extractor-containeroccupying considerably less than one-half of the volume of thecompartment of said tub, liquid agitating means inside saidextractor-container, and means for oscillating said dasher and saidextractor-container with its liquid agitating means and for rotatingsaid extractor-container whereby there is provided in a one-compartmenttub, an extractor and a large and a small capacity washer.

41. In a combined extractor and two compartment washer, in combination,a tub having a compartment for holding liquid and articles to be washed,a dasher in said tub having blades for agitating the liquid contentsthereof, an extractor-container located in the compartment of said 'tubwith its bottom adjacent to-the tub bottom and below the normaloperating liquid level thereof, said extractor-container occupyingconsiderably less than one-half of the volume'of the compartment of saidtub, liquid agitating means inside said extractor-container and fixedlysecured thereto, and means for rotating and oscillating saidextractor-container and for oscillating said dasher whereby there isprovided in a one-comextending outwardly from said walls for agitatingthe liquid in said tub, the volume of the compartment of said dasherbeing considerably less than one half the volume of said tube, a liquidholding extractor-container having upwardly and outwardly flaring sidewalls located in part at least in the compartment of said dasher, liquidagitating means inside said extractor-container, and means having areleasable connection with said dasher for oscillating said dasher andsaid extractor-container with its liquid agitating means and forrotating said extractor-container independently of any movement of saiddasher whereby ther is provided ina single tub an extractor and a largeand a small capacity washer.

44. In a combined extractor and two comparts ment washer for thewashing, and drying of clothes and other articles, in combination, a tubfor holding liquid and articles to be washed, a dasher in the lowerportion of said tub having walls defining an open compartment and vanesextending outwardly from said walls for agitating the liquid in saidtub, the volume of the compartment of said dasher being considerablyless than one half the volume of said tub, an extractor-containerlocated in part at least in the compartment of said dasher, liquidagitating means inside said extractor-container and fixedly securedthereto, and means including a releasable connection between saidextractor-container and said dasher for independently rotating saidextractor-container and for simultaneously oscillating saidextractor-container and said dasher whereby there is provided in asingle tub an extractor and a large and a small capacity washer.

45. In a combined extractor and two compartment washer for the washingand drying of clothes and other articles, in combination, a tub forholding liquid and articles to be washed, a

dasher in the lower portion of said tub having blades for agitating theliquid contents thereof, an extractor-container having a lowerimperforate portion with upwardly and outwardly flaring side wallslocated in part at least within the confines of said dasher, the bottomof said extractorcontainer being located below the normal operatinglevel of the liquid in said tube, liquid agitating means inside saidextractor-container, means for independently rotating saidextractor-container and simultaneously oscillating said dasher and saidextractor-container with its liquid agitating means for efiecting dryingoperations in said extractor-container and for effecting washingoperations inside said extractor-container and in the space of said tubaround the lower portion of said extractor-container, and means forconveying such discharged liquid to a point outside of said tub.

46. In a. laundry machine in combination, casing means for holdingliquid and articles to be washed, washing means in said casing means, acentrifugal extractor container in said casing means, liquid agitatingprovisions inside said centrifugal extractor container, and operatingmeans including power driven mechanism having a single shaft traversingthe bottom of said casing means for both rotating said container toextract the liquid contents thereof and for oscillating said washingmeans and said liquid agitating provisions whereby two separatelyuseable washers of diiierent capacity are provided, the smaller of whichconstitutes an extractor when A notused as a washer.

47. In a laundry machine in combination, casing means for holding liquidand articles tobe washed, washing means in said casing means, animperforate extractor container in said casing means having upwardlyflaring side walls, means associated with said container for deliveringto said casing means liquid discharged from said container, liquidagitating provisions inside said extractor container, and operatingmeans including rotating and oscillating mechanism, a motor for drivingthe same and power transmission means extending from said mechanismthrough the central region of the bottom of said casing means for bothrotating said container to extract the liquid contents thereof and foroscillating said washing means and said liquid agiin the compartment ofsaid tub, a centrifugal container in the compartment of said tub havingliquid discharge provisions located above the working level of theliquid in said casing means,

liquid agitating provisions inside said centrifugal container, andoperating means including rotating and oscillating mechanism, powertransmission means extending therefrom through the bottom of said casingand means for selectively connecting said rotating mechanism to saidcontainer and said oscillating mechanism to said agitating provisionsand said washing means for both rotating said container to extract theliquid contents thereof and for oscillating said washing means and saidliquid agitating provisions whereby two washers of different capacityare provided one inside the other, the smaller washer constituting anextractor when not in use as a washer.

49. In a washing machine, the combination with a liquid holding tub, ofa hollow upright structure therein having a' portion of reduced diameterand exterior liquid impelling blades located in such portion, liquidimpelling blades located inside of said hollow structure, and means foroscillating said structure and with it said blades.

50. In a washing machine, the combination with a liquid holding tub, ofa hollow body structure therein with outwardly flaring walls at its topand bottom, liquid impelling vanes extending between such walls on theoutside of the body structure, and means for oscillating said bodystructure and vanes. n

51. An agitator comprising a hollow body portion formed from reverselyarrang frustoconical sections flaring outwardly a the top and bottom ofthe agitator and liquid impelling blades interposed between thefrusto-conical sections of said body.

52. In a washing machine, the co bination with a liquid holding tub, ofan agitat r therein comprising a hollow body structure th outwardlyflaring top and bottom portions and radially projecting agitating vanesextending between said top and bottom portions and defining therewith aplurality of outwardly opening compartments about the axis of theagitator, and means for oscillating said agitator JAMES B. KIRIBY.

